2 Pioneer Statues torn down on UO campus

2 Pioneer Statues torn down on UO campus

News.

We begin with breaking news tonight on the university of oregon campus.

Two historic pioneer statues were torn down -- while a black lives matter protest was happening just a couple of miles away.

We're told these events are completely unrelated.

The pioneer statue and pioneer mother statue -- have been on campus for decades.

But they have a controversial history -- sparking concern from many in the community.

Kezi 9 news reporter jacob roberts is live to explain everything we know up until this point.

Jacob -- whats the damage look like?

The pioneer father is resting in a new spot tonight here on the steps of johnson hall.

You can see it has been toppled and damaged.

The nose appears to be missing.

The pioneer mother on the other side not fairing well either, laying down next to the pedestal.

People here on campus tell me this happened a little before 8 olock tonight.

It not clear who was responsible for bringing down the statues.

As you mentioned -- this was not related to the protest today.

Organizers say they were aware of an event by a different group of activists tonight, but no one is takign responsibility for what happened.

Regardless, the news is surprising to many here on campus tonight.

"i just think that this is uncalled for this is part of history erasing history does not help" she tells us the statue isn't harming anyone -- the people involved are.

But others disagree.

"many people say dont erase history we shouldnt take it down but there are places for it that are not in the center of campus in a place of honor where native and black students have to walk past this statue everyday in place of honor carrying a whip" she says the university of oregon has failed its students -- by keeping it on campus.

She tells us if they heard their several calls for change in the past -- this wouldnt have happened.

The university of oregon telling us in statement they do not support the act of vandalism.

They say these decisions should be made by the community.

They plan to store the statues and let the process play out.

Jillian.

Jacob -- while i still have you.

I know i walked past these statues during my time as a student there -- im sure my dad did as well -- years back.

So whats the history behind them that's causing some people to take matters into their own hands.

The student who studied history here told me -- native american and black students feel super uncomfortable whenever they walk past this statue because it honors the murder of their ancestors.

A historian who studied its origin also found that the message was commeorating violence against native americans.

On the day it was installed the president of the oregon historical society gave a speech to dedicate the statue that praised the anglo- saxon race and its ability to assimilate other races and cultures to become a part of it, jillian as